The shuffling, promotions and handover to family members continued under Hun Manet’s new government, with multiple connected CPP offspring reaping the benefits of this generational change.

King Norodom Sihamoni signed a royal decree promoting new Interior Minister Sar Sokha to be a four-star general, from his previous rank of lieutenant general. Sokha is the son of former Interior Minister Sar Kheng.

Staying in the Sar family, Phnom Penh police chief Sar Thet was promoted to the rank of general and made the National Police chief. The position was previously held by Neth Savoeun, who now takes over as a deputy prime minister but will oversee internal security. Thet is a cousin of Sar Kheng and the uncle of Sar Sokha.

New Defense Minister Tea Seiha was also promoted to the rank of four-star general, in a royal decree signed on August 23. He is the son of outgoing Defense Minister Tea Banh, who is now a supreme adviser to the king.

Moving to another former deputy prime minister’s family, Peng Pursa was appointed the governor of Svay Rieng, a promotion from his previous role as a deputy governor in the province. He is the son of former Deputy Prime Minister Men Sam An, and brother of new Transport Minister Peng Punea. His late father, Peng Pat, was a senator.

Prak Sophoan will become the new governor of Siem Reap, taking over from Defense Minister Tea Seiha. Sophoan is the son of former Foreign Affairs Minister Prak Sokhonn.

Suon Somalin will take over as the governor of Prey Veng province, after the position was made vacant after Chea Somethy, who is the new Social Affairs minister.

Hun Manet also got to work on Wednesday signing a sub-decree appointing Sar Ratha, who is deputy director at the immigration department and Sar Kheng’s son, and Preah Sihanouk police chief Chuon Narin as deputy National Police commissioners.

In another royal decree, Chhorn Sanath was appointed director of the prison department at the Interior Ministry, replacing Chhem Savuth.